Which factors are particularly critical to the success of a Data Center?

Indisputably, these are all important aspects when considering a Data Center. As is so often the case, there is no one success factor that leads to a successful Data Center. Data Centers are always individual. Even if there are standard solutions on the market such as modular Data Centers, Edge or container Data Centers, one piece of the puzzle to success is the needs-based planning and consulting for a customized Data Center. Of course, this can result in a modular standard solution. However, the focus is on coordination and holistic consulting. This calls for specialists who know the Data Center market inside out and have a comprehensive view of the market, especially with regard to future technical and regulatory changes. 

A holistic view of a Data Center project includes not only the outer shell with its infrastructure such as supply and electrical engineering. The consideration of what is installed in the IT rack, the servers and storage systems is also an important factor. This is where two worlds meet, the world of IT administration and that of the Data Center planner. Only in close solution-oriented coordination can the basic framework parameters for the Data Center be designed. One factor for a successful Data Center is that it is neither too large nor too small and can grow together with the IT demand. This is the only way to ensure efficient and scalable Data Center operations.

A German proverb says, "quality has its price". We often experience in the Data Center world that this adage is all too true. Another German proverb, "He who buys cheap, buys twice," captures the problem just as well. A critical factor in a successful Data Center is to rely on experienced, well-trained planners, consultants, installers and operators. These may not always be the cheapest, but rather high quality in planning and execution and proven expertise should be paramount. Only with such a team is it possible to develop and implement efficient and well-thought-out Data Center solutions. 

"It doesn't always have to be the big city". We are experiencing an immense settlement of large and small Data Centers in and around large cities such as Frankfurt am Main. The result: "heat bells" and the associated need for heat registers, electricity shortages, built-up areas, and a change in the microclimate. Diversity in site selection is an essential factor for a successful Data Center. This includes a comprehensive site analysis in which a wide variety of local conditions play a role. For many business areas and applications, a direct connection to Internet nodes such as DE-CIX is not necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that local authorities, municipalities and districts also need their own digital infrastructure. Just think of homeschooling or digital administration. Here, a professional site analysis makes a significant contribution to a successful Data Center. 

Digital planning methods not only ensure success in the construction of a Data Center, but also ensure smooth operation after completion. It has been proven that the accumulated knowledge of the planning team is lost to a not inconsiderable extent during handover to the Data Center operations team. Load and functional tests performed in advance can help transfer knowledge about the characteristics of the Data Center components. One factor for a successful Data Center is the planning method according to Building Information Modeling (BIM). Here, a digital image, a digital twin, of the Data Center is created. This means that the Data Center can not only be operated effectively, but also maintained professionally, which is another success factor.